Oman's share index ends marginally higher

Muscat: The MSM index closed at 3,626.27 points, up 0.20 per cent from the previous close.

The Sharia Index ended down 0.02 per cent at 517.52 points. Ahli Bank Perpetual, up 3.38 per cent was the top gainer while Renaissance Service, down 2.43 per cent, was the top loser. National Aluminium was the most active in terms of the number of shares traded and Ahli Bank Perpetual was the most active in terms of turnover.

A total number of 377 trades were executed during the day's trading session, generating a turnover of OMR2.6 million, with more than 10.2 million shares changing hands. Out of 42 traded stocks, 10 advanced, 11 declined and 21 remained unchanged. At the session close, GCC and Arab investors were net buyers for OMR960,000 while local investors were net sellers for OMR780,000 followed by local for OMR179,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed by 0.84 per cent at, 5,847.12 points. Sohar International, National Bank of Oman and Al Anwar Holding were up by 3.13 per cent, 1.84 per cent, and 1.47 per cent respectively. Muscat Finance was down by 2.00 per cent.

Industrial Index closed at 3,955.31 points, down 0.06 per cent. Al Jazeera Steel, Oman Fisheries, Gulf International and Al Anwar Ceramic were up by 3.03 per cent, 1.23 per cent, 0.96 per cent and 0.61 per cent respectively. Galfar Engineering, Oman Cement and Raysut Cement were down by 1.96 per cent, 1.31 per cent and 0.65 per cent.

Services index was down 0.52 per cent before closing at 1,559.57 points. Omantel and Muscat Gas were up by 1.39 per cent and 0.64 per cent respectively. Renaissance Service, Phoenix Power, National Gas, Sembcorp and Musandam Power were down by 2.44 per cent, 1.82 per cent, 1.25 per cent, 0.91 per cent and 0.61 per cent respectively.